Patient Stories
Sutter Bariatric Services
Jennifer
Jennifer first started researching weight-loss surgery a few years ago. “I was definitely interested, but was hesitant because gastric-bypass surgery seemed to be such a big deal. I’m a busy, single mom and couldn’t see putting myself through it at that time.”
Years later, she learned of the Lap Band procedure while watching a reality TV program. Short for Laparoscopic Banding, Lap Band refers to a less-invasive type of weight-loss surgery that decreases the stomach’s capacity by putting a band around it to form a small pouch. “I was intrigued because it seemed to be a simpler procedure, compared to traditional gastric bypass surgery, and easier on the patient,” Jennifer said. She turned to the Internet for more information about the Lap Band operation. That’s when she learned about Sutter Roseville Medical Center’s bariatric services.
“I read about Dr. Waldrep, his impressive experience and how much success his patients have had. I scheduled an appointment with him right away to see if Lap Band would be right for me,” Jennifer said. “I took my mom with me to the appointment. She was apprehensive about bariatric surgery and I knew she’d ask a lot of tough questions.”
After the appointment, both Jennifer and her mom felt confident and excited about Jennifer’s prospects from Lap Band surgery with Dr. Waldrep. “I learned a lot from that appointment,” Jennifer said. “And I could tell I was in good hands.”
To meet insurance requirements, Jennifer had to fulfill various obligations that included lab work, psychological evaluation, attending a weight-loss support group and sign-off from her primary care physician. “My family doctor had been hesitant about approving weight-loss surgery, but she was OK with the Lap Band procedure because it’s less invasive than a traditional gastric bypass operation.”
On December 11, 2007, Jennifer checked in for her surgery at Sutter Roseville Medical Center. The operation went well and she was home by noon that same day. “I felt fine,” she said. “I had a little pain, like I had done too many sit-ups, but that was it.”
After the surgery, Jennifer began to mark weight-loss milestones and health goals for herself on a spreadsheet. ”It’s helped a lot. And I take a picture of myself every month to document my weight loss. Whenever I’m struggling with my progress, I view the spreadsheet and pictures to see how far I’ve come.”
Jen also occasionally participates in the bariatric support group at Sutter Roseville. “I even wrote an article about my experience with Lap Band surgery for Dr. Waldrep’s patient newsletter,” she said.
Less than a year after surgery, Jennifer has lost 87 pounds. “I’m 29 pounds away from my ideal weight,” she says. “I bet I’ll make that goal within a few more months!”